Exploring, creating, pretending, learning and playing are just some of the ways to enjoy a visit to one of the many children’s museums in Michigan. While there are museums all across our state, we have compiled a list of some of our favorites close to home. With attractions featuring dinosaurs, fossils, grocery stores, transportation, water tables, art stations, sensory tables, and so much more, there is something for every child to explore.

If you visit the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, there is so much to see and do, that you will want to plan to be there for a few hours. Through hands-on activities children can learn about the human body, weather, Michigan nature, traffic lights, magnets, and more. There is also a designated area for children under the age of four, which includes a popular water table and fire engine.

Curious Kids’ Museum is St. Joseph offers two learning locations. Their original Kids’ Museum and their Discovery Zone. At the main Curious Kid’ Museum you will find exhibits where your child can pretend to work in a veterinarian clinic, an apple orchard, farm, hospital, ship and others. Look for new exhibits opening this spring and summer.

Sitting nearby on beautiful Lake Michigan in St. Joseph you will find the Curious Kids Museum’s Discovery Zone. At Curious Kids’ Discovery children can play with a large water table, climb a lighthouse, rock wall, play outside on a boat, train, and visit their traveling exhibit. Near the entrance to the museum is a carousel open for rides. You can also make a whole day of fun by visiting the splash pad across the street during the summer.

Located in Fennville, Forever Curious Children’s Museum is a great find. Popular features include a toddler area with playhouse, tool and shopping areas, nature area with a wigwam, bubble table, and activities such as a rock wall and inner tube bouncer. Two of their newest exhibits include a medical center and vet clinic with lots of equipment and models to explore.

Do you have a dinosaur fan in your family? The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is currently featuring their Amazing Dinosaurs exhibit through June 25th. Kids can dig for fossils, put on a puppet show and learn all about different dinosaurs. Other popular exhibits include their bubble station, kid-size Meijer grocery store, auto service center, toddler area, kitchen, bakery and many more!

Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan is designed to give kids of all ages a real hands-on approach to learning using all five senses. Exhibits that you won’t want to miss include Building Zone where your child can use large tinker toys to build their own structures, Throwing Things where, you guessed it, you get to throw things, and MI Nature area where you can explore the different nature environments of our State. There is also a water table, bubble station and private area for smaller children.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum features hands-on learning displays for all ages. The Burton Henry Upjohn Children’s Landscape section features books, puzzles, puppet station, multiple building stations with blocks, coloring station and so many more options for your little ones. Admission to the entire museum is FREE. This summer, be sure to check out their Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice exhibit and special events.

Pretend-play is a great way for children to learn. Kids N’Stuff Museum in Albion has many opportunities for pretend-play including being a vet, actor in costume, grocery shopper or clerk, mechanic and more. Other popular exhibits include a water table, art room, bank, and air room. Follow them on Facebook for updates and sponsored free days.

Kingman Museum has been a great resource for children for 80 years! At Kingman Museum you and your children can explore wonders of space, natural history, world cultures, science, and more. The museum also has a great planetarium with 20 different shows. Current hours are Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4:00 pm. While you are there, check out the Kaleidoscope Garden, which is a great place for kids to explore on the grounds of Leila Arboretum. They offer several fun children’s events in the summer and early fall.